'There is no memory regarding the father's condition... Forgotten or simply he's not aware?'
He tried to distract his mind when he felt something akin to huge boulder pressing on his heart the nearer he got to the hospital. The feeling started since he confirmed the cab was halfway through the whole drive. Somehow, Jiang Li knew it was not because the remnant soul dreaded seeing his father lying in a white bed inside a white room. The body itself subconsciously rejected being near a medical facility or institution... It was He Chen himself who hated hospitals.
'Those guys should be going home by now.' Another random thought that popped up in his mind.
It was past 4:30 pm. The streets were bustling more than ever. This time of the day was when students and workers started to join the crowds walking down both sides of the roads, or crowding around shops and stalls there. This was also the perfect time for Aurora students from different courses to meet up, either to hangout or hold club activities.
For 'Pesticide' though, the call time was 4 pm sharp. Whatever talk the band members had, it should be finish by now. He had full confidence that all they held was a short discussion about the sched and that they wouldn't record anything without him. If they didn't immediately go home, their other destination would be the karaoke bar or Cheng Du's apartment, both place only good for drinking and singing.
"We're here." His random thoughts had yet to wonder how the leads were doing and if they were having a good time from the male lead's brother's blunder. It was such a shame. The old driver's voice already called his wandering soul back to his body.
"We're already here huh?" Jiang Li thought, no wonder the irritating feeling was at its strongest.
He wordlessly touched his pants' back pocket, intending to fish out his wallet from there. However, the old driver's hoarse voice suddenly resounded, "Wait, young man. Regarding the pay, how about we do it through WeChat or online bank transfer?"
Though he found it odd, he didn't think too much about it and silently pulled up his phone. Thankfully, even though his account had not been topped up for weeks, it still had enough change for the fare. After wiring the money to the old driver, he climbed out of the car. To his surprise, before he could totally walk off, the car window next to the driver's seat went down.
Popping his head out slightly, the old man looked around for a while before saying, "Hey young man. I hope you heed this advice. I'm totally being serious here. Later when you come back home, burn your clothes immediately and throw the ashes far away from your house. That's all. Goodbye!"
After uttering those words, the cab hurriedly drove off, leaving Jiang Li dumbfounded for some time before laughing out loud from too much amusement.
'Haha, I bet he'll be the one burning the mat or replacing the backseat. Or he won't change them but sprinkle salt all over the cab's interior. Poor uncle.' He clicked his tongue then marched into the white painted building in front.
Just this once, he only wished to call it a day after seeing the parents and arranging the transfer, yet because the villainess was confirmed to be following him, fate played its hands, like usual, and had him encounter somebody related to the world's beloved pairing.
Right from the bat, Jiang Li showed a sour face seeing the male lead's brother appearing in the lobby from the opposite elevator.
The moment the other caught sight of him, the furious guy went charging towards him like someone going to war. But of course, since he had a greater matter to think of, he gnored him and pressed the close button. His action was taken negatively by the red-faced young man.
Annoyance just crossed Jiang Li's face when he heard the stupid flasher shouting loudly before the door closed to his damn face, "You coward f*cker, don't think you'll be able to escape from me!!! I'll follow you to hell. I won't let this day ends without beating the heck out of you!!!"
Through the little gaps of the closing door, he threw Gu Cheng a look much colder than what he had given Tang Lan.
"... What happened yesterday is still not enough for him...?"
"Good. I always welcome opportunities to show how much of an unreasonable bastard I am."
A corner of his lips went up as he relayed through his thoughts, 'I know you're with me villainess.' The taxi driver was surely spooked out by something earlier so he was confident of this claim. For a few seconds he tried to feel up her presence.
When he saw a ghostly figure standing behind him through the mirror-like door of the lift, he nodded and instructed, 'Let's have the second part of the show. If he follows us using the staircase, make him end up in an endless climb. Anyway, he seems full of energy so he will be okay climbing thousands of steps and taking a few dozen turns. In each turn, have his girlfriend's spookiest look and smile in a painting. No killing as you do your scare tactic, but feel free to hurt a limb or two.'
The silence did not remain for long. His other companions felt the change in the temperature but did not pay much attention to it. None of them were aware of the extra presence in the room.
Meanwhile, for the first time since Feng Ru revealed herself to him in her ghost state, she replied to him. No suspense, her voice seemingly came from the deepest part of earth, having a strange echo in his ears, each syllable dragged in a slow-mo.
Her question was very simple though '... If... elevator, what... then?'
To what she asked, he first laugh for a full minute before giving her suggestions...